North Haven Fisherman Cited For Reeling In Undersized Striped Bass

MILFORD, CT — Five fishermen face numerous violations after authorities say they were found to be in the possession of 42 undersized striped bass along the Housatonic River in Stratford and Milford. On Sunday, April 23, officers assigned to the Western Marine Sector were conducting an evening fisheries enforcement patrol, according to the state Environmental Conservation Police.

While on patrol, officers encountered five fishermen actively fishing and were found to be in possession of 42 undersized striped bass (estimated at 90lbs). (To sign up for North Haven breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Police said the five fishermen were cited for numerous fishing violations including possession of striped bass less than legal minimum length, possession of striped bass over the daily creel limit, and fishing without a license.

Three men were issued infractions for fishing without a license.

Xiaofei Zhang, 34, of Wallingford, and Yin Yu, 51, of North Haven, were each charged with nine counts of undersized striped bass and eight counts of over the daily limit of striped bass. They were released with a court date of May 12 at Bridgeport Superior Court.

“The fish were left for wildlife as there was no room for storage of the fish for a donation to be made to either a kitchen or wildlife rehabilitator,” said Dennis Schain, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Encon Police encourage anyone who sees any hunting or fishing violations to contact their 24-hour dispatch center at 860-424-3333 or toll-free 800-842-4357.

Photo via the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police